KENYA: Residents in the Kenyan capital Nairobi say security forces are taking too long to resolve the hostage crisis at a shopping mall where militants from al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab movement have been holding their captives for the third day

Record ID: 353955

  • Title: KENYA: Residents in the Kenyan capital Nairobi say security forces are taking too long to resolve the hostage crisis at a shopping mall where militants from al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab movement have been holding their captives for the third day
  • Date: 23rd September 2013
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (SEPTEMBER 23, 2013) (REUTERS) WIDE OF CROWD ON STREET NEAR WESTGATE MALL CLOSE OF MAN (SOUNDBITE) (English) NAIROBI RESIDENT (NO NAME) SAYING: "It's been going on for days, that's why I am saying, it's, where we are now we need God, it's only God who can intervene because there are some people there, they have their lives, we also, we are also fearing fo
  • Embargoed: 8th October 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA8LWYEW5IN61V4U2YSDEFR0SN8
  • Story Text: There was frustration among residents in Nairobi on Monday (September 23) as militants from al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab movement continued to hold an unknown number of hostages in an upmarket shopping mall.
    As day broke, following a quiet Sunday night, Reuters journalists near the upmarket Westgate complex heard bursts of rifle fire and muffled blasts.
    One Kenyan Red Cross official said there appeared to be clashes inside the building.
    But there was no indication of the fate of people whom the authorities had said on Sunday were being held by 10 to 15 gunmen - and possibly women - inside a large supermarket.
    Residents, still reeling from the shock of Saturday's (September 21) attack, said the crisis was going on far too long, with one saying divine intervention was needed.

    "It's been going on for days, that's why I am saying, it's, where we are now we need God, it's only God who can intervene because there are some people there, they have their lives, we also, we are also fearing for our security forces, they also want to live, they are fighting with people who doesn't want to live, so we need God. It's the high time we asked God to intervene - what we call divine intervention," one unnamed resident said.

    "It's taking them too much time, they were supposed to handle this thing in like 6 hours and then, they were supposed to finish everything. But today is the third day and nothing, so I don't think they are working on the situation," said another resident.
    Security forces, receiving advice from Western and Israeli experts said they had secured the bulk of the complex by Sunday (September 22), freeing many people who had hidden in terror. Though they hoped for a quick resolution, hostages were still being held, however.
    It was unclear how many may be held hostage. Colonel Cyprus Oguna, a Kenyan military spokesman, told Reuters that most of those freed in a search and rescue operation on Sunday had not been held by the gunmen but had found places of refuge. He said "a very small number" were still captive, but gave no detail.
    It was unclear who the assailants were. Al Shabaab - the name means "The Lads" in Arabic - has thousands of Somali fighters but has also attracted foreigners to fight Western and African Union efforts to establish a stable government.
    With the stocks of a major supermarket at their disposal - the Nakumatt store is part of one of Kenya's biggest chains - the gunmen could be in a position to hold on for a long time.
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